Hi Everyone-

JT and I are currently in Cincinnati.  JT is just finishing up his second day's photopheresis treatment.  He continues to do well.  In fact today a reporter from the University Medical Center came to take pictures and write a story on the success of JT's photopheresis experience.   JT is down to just two oral medications, one IV medication, one subcutaneous IGG infusion and the photopheresis therapy every two weeks.  We are hoping that sometime in the fall the Hoxworth Blood Center will receive the new photopheresis machine, which again, will be more efficient than the old one.  Once this arrives and is ready to use, we are hoping to push photopheresis back to every three weeks.  Yeah!

It's hard to believe that we're heading into the home stretch of summer.  We've so much enjoyed the pool down the street, riding bikes and going to the parks.  We're also looking forward to the new school year.  JT will be heading to morning Kindergarten, Justice will be in the morning GCC Preschool program three days a week and Brian is missing the routine that teaching everyday provides in his life.  I, myself, am greatly anticipating the 2 hour window of "alone time" that I will have M, W, and F mornings:)

This past weekend we traveled to Deep Creek, Maryland to hang out with our good friends, Trey & Lori Miller and their little boy Huck.  We had a blast.  Brian got to kayak down this man-made river and we all got to watch.  It was awesome.  Another highlight was a roller coaster ride down the ski mountain.  The boys absolutely loved it!  We were also able to take a nice hike to a waterfall and rocky creek area.  For the first time ever, JT was allowed to wade in creek water.  It was sooooooo much fun.  It was very emotional for me to see my son so carefreely splashing around enjoying God's good gift of creation.

The second night we were there JT did develop a fever.  It was a little scary being away from home, but the computer and GPS feature of "hospitals" helped relieve our fears.  We were able to just give JT some tylenol and motrin and watch him for a bit.  Thankfully the fever started going down.  We still ended up leaving sort of spur of the moment that night to head home, just to be on the safe side.  It worked out actually great for the boys because they just slept for the three hour drive.  It didn't work out as good for Brian though, as he was the driver.  The good news is that that was the first fever JT's had in some time.

We continue to enjoy the little blessing of life and the new freedoms we are experiencing.  Thanks for checking in on us.